Bangladesh’s Liton Das showed immense resilience and skill as he played a remarkable inning to lift his team from a precarious 26-6 to 262 all out during the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. His innings of 138 runs, which lasted for a marathon 333 minutes, helped Bangladesh stage a strong comeback in the match. Liton Das was well-supported by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored a gritty 78 runs, and together they built a crucial 165-run seventh-wicket partnership.
At the end of the third day of the Test, Bangladesh struck back by reducing Pakistan to a struggling 9-2, with opener Abdullah Shafique and nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad dismissed early by pacer Hasan Mahmud. The home team currently leads by 21 runs with Saim Ayub not out on six. Pakistan needs to bat sensibly to secure a series-levelling win after losing the first Test by 10 wickets. Bangladesh’s win in the first Test was their first in 14 attempts against Pakistan, making this match crucial for both teams.
The partnership between Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the highlight of the day, with the two players turning the match in Bangladesh’s favor. Das and Mehidy’s solid partnership of 165 runs was crucial in helping Bangladesh post a competitive total and frustrate the Pakistani bowlers. Das added 69 runs with tail-ender Mahmud to equal the partnership record against Pakistan, finishing with a total of 236 runs for the last four wickets before being dismissed on 138.
Liton Das admitted to initial nervousness but was happy with his performance in the end. He took responsibility for stabilizing the innings and understood the challenges posed by the pitch. Pakistan’s Shahzad acknowledged Bangladesh’s strong batting display and expressed belief in their ability to set a challenging target in the second innings. Despite a strong start by the Pakistani bowlers in the morning session, Das and Mehidy’s partnership capitalized on an eased-out pitch to turn the tide in Bangladesh’s favor.
Shahzad’s career-best figures of 6-90 initially put Pakistan in a strong position, but he found it challenging to break the partnership between Das and Mehidy. Das and Mehidy’s partnership of 165 runs was the first time in Test history that a pair added 150 or more runs for the seventh or lower wicket from a team total of under 50 runs. Mehidy, who also shone with the ball by taking five wickets on the previous day, continued his form with the bat by scoring 78 runs.
Bangladesh’s early struggles in the innings, including losing six wickets for just 26 runs, were effectively countered by the heroic partnership between Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The duo’s resilience and determination helped Bangladesh post a competitive total and put pressure on the Pakistani team. Despite a strong start by the Pakistani bowlers, Bangladesh’s batting display showcased their ability to bounce back from difficult situations and compete at the international level. The outcome of the second Test remains uncertain, with the result likely to be determined by the performance of both teams in the upcoming days.
